"Bao'er?"
As soon as he got a clear look, Qi Tushen's murderous aura vanished completely, replaced by a tender expression.
"Father, I missed you."
Qi Bao'er beamed. "Did you miss me?"
"Mhm, of course Father missed you."
Qi Tushen crouched down and ruffled her hair. "Did you listen to the teacher at the private school? Did you cause any trouble for anyone?"
"No, I was very well-behaved." Qi Bao'er said proudly. "If you don't believe me, ask Aunt Li."
"Aunt Li, Bao'er didn't cause you any trouble, did she?" Qi Tushen asked the woman standing beside him.
"No, no, Bao'er is such an obedient child. I've never seen such a sensible little one. Her private school had a break these past few days, and she kept insisting on coming back to see you, so I brought her home." Aunt Li said with a smile.
"Aunt Li, I'm much obliged to you."
Qi Tushen was truly grateful to her.
If not for Aunt Li's kindness in looking after Bao'er all these years, she wouldn't have grown up so healthy, lively, clever, and well-mannered.
After all, he was a rough, uncouth man and was terrified of raising a girl badly—if she turned out wrong, that would be terrible.
Not to mention, he was afraid his masculine habits would rub off on Bao'er and make her less ladylike.
A woman should be gentle and virtuous.
That way, he could honor Bao'er's mother.
"Hmph! Father, you still don't believe me. I told you I was well-behaved." Qi Bao'er pouted unhappily.
"Alright, alright, it's Father's fault for wronging you. Bao'er, don't be angry!" Qi Tushen laughed and tried to soothe her.
But Qi Bao'er complained, "Father, when I'm not by your side, you clearly don't take care of yourself. Look how scruffy your beard is! When are you going to find me a new mother to take care of you?"
"Father was too busy and forgot."
Qi Tushen affectionately poked her little nose. "You little rascal, you're so young but so clever. If Father really did find you a mother, wouldn't Bao'er be jealous?"
"No, I can't stay with you forever. I hope Father can find happiness. Being alone is too lonely—no one takes care of you. Mother, watching over us from heaven, would also want you to be happy." Qi Bao'er said very seriously.
The little one's maturity filled Qi Tushen with relief.
"Qi Tushen, you bastard! You have a child and you still want me to be your wife?! You shameless scoundrel!"
Suddenly, a soft but furious curse came from inside the house.
This dog of a man actually had a child?!
Chu Jiaojiao had woken up and heard every word of the conversation outside.
Aunt Li looked toward the house in astonishment.
Good heavens!
Since when did Tushen have a woman hidden in his house?!
"Father, who's in there?"
Qi Bao'er also looked at Qi Tushen with confusion.
"She…"
Qi Tushen's expression turned awkward. "She's someone I met a few days ago when I went out to sell my game. She was almost trafficked, and I took pity on her and saved her."
In truth, he had been moved by her beauty.
He happened to run into Chu Jiaojiao just as she was about to be sold off by human traffickers.
Seeing how delicate and lovely she was—exactly the type of woman he liked—
his heart itched, and he kindly rescued her.
He had originally thought Chu Jiaojiao would do what they did in the plays—offer herself to him in gratitude for saving her life.
But instead, after waking up, this woman had been crying and carrying on, wanting to die.
Qi Tushen didn't want to let her go, so he simply kept her in the house.
To protest against him, she refused to eat or drink. Afraid she'd starve to death, he had no choice but to put on a fierce face every day just to feed her and take care of her needs.
He didn't want to be so harsh with her—if only she'd be more obedient.
"Father, can I go in and see the big sister?" Qi Bao'er asked.
"Alright, Father will take you to see her!"
Qi Tushen carried Qi Bao'er into the house, and Aunt Li followed out of curiosity.
There sat Chu Jiaojiao on the bed, her hair in disarray, yet it still couldn't hide her beauty. Having just woken up, her eyes were still misty with drowsiness.
A flash of admiration crossed Aunt Li's eyes.
What a lovely girl!
"You dog of a man! Vile, shameless, despicable! You already have a child, so why are you still keeping me, an innocent maiden, locked up here?!" Chu Jiaojiao glared furiously at Qi Tushen.
Qi Tushen: "…"
His little wife was so beautiful even when angry.
He wanted to keep her even more now.
"Wow, big sister, you're so pretty!"
Qi Bao'er blinked her big eyes, staring intently at Chu Jiaojiao.
Chu Jiaojiao was momentarily stunned. Seeing the pretty, adorable little girl in Qi Tushen's arms, she felt utterly disgusted.
This scruffy-faced, ugly brute of a man had actually fathered such a beautiful little girl.
The girl's mother must have been forced to marry him through threats and coercion too, right?!
Absolutely detestable!
With that thought, Chu Jiaojiao grew even angrier. "Qi Tushen! Kill me or slice me up, do whatever you want! I'd rather die than be your wife!"
"Wife, your flesh isn't tasty anyway—why would I kill or slice you up? Is the radish in my field not nutritious enough?" Qi Tushen said shamelessly, his eyes fixed on Chu Jiaojiao's face, flushed red with anger, which only made her look more alluring and captivating.
Chu Jiaojiao wanted to spit blood.
This is just too damn infuriating!
Always comparing her to a radish!
If radishes are so nutritious, then you go ahead and eat more—hope you choke to death on them, you bastard!
"Daddy, serves you right for not having a wife."
Qi Bao'er was wise beyond her years and couldn't stand listening anymore. She shoved Qi Tushen away with a look of disgust. "You go outside for a bit. Let me and sister talk."
"Bao'er, what are you going to say to her?"
"Daddy, this is girls' business. Don't you worry about it." Qi Bao'er, acting like a little adult, pushed him out the door with all her might.
Aunt Li, being sensible, followed him out.
With a "bang," Qi Bao'er shut the door tight and trotted over to Chu Jiaojiao on her little short legs, all eager and excited.
Chu Jiaojiao: "…"
What does this little radish-head want to do?!
Outside the door, Qi Tushen was also feeling frustrated.
He had no idea what she was up to.
Aunt Li glanced at the house and spoke up worriedly, "Tushen, I can tell this girl is delicate and refined—she doesn't seem like an ordinary family's daughter. Aren't you afraid her family will come looking for her, keeping her here like this?"
"Afraid of what? No matter whose daughter she is, I want her. Besides, this place is so remote—who could possibly find their way into this mountain hollow?"
Qi Tushen planted his hands on his hips, licked his back teeth, and shrugged nonchalantly.
He'd set his sights on this little wife of his.
To win the beauty's hand, he wasn't afraid of anything.
"Then you need to protect her well. I'm worried that if Feng Cuier sees her…" Aunt Li cautioned.
"Aunt Li, why on earth would you bring up Feng Cuier out of nowhere!"
Qi Tushen's face darkened. "What does she have to do with me and my little wife? There's nothing between us anymore."
"But…"
"Aunt Li, no more 'buts.' Since she looked down on Bao'er, then there's nothing left to say between me and her."
Qi Tushen cut Aunt Li off. Bao'er was his bottom line, and what happened back then was something he could never forgive Feng Cuier for.